Date of Meeting: Monday, August 4, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:15 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Roger Deal, Ken Sydow
Others Present: Joe Connelly, Interim Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel (arrived 6:40 PM) ; others as noted on attached sheet
FY’09 Financial Warrant signed in approval.
Meeting convened at 6:30 PM.
Re: Taxes due on 70/140 property. Ed DeFeudis – Expressed concern regarding taxes due on 70/140 property. Getting invoice; feels he’s not liable as building is gone. If so, Clinton Savings Bank owes.
Mike Tenaglia, Clinton Savings Bank Vice President – Land was restored to original condition as of June 29, 2008. The building was removed from the site June 23.
Carl Cravedi – Assessment date is as of January 1. Taxes are assessed for the entire year; he will look into the possibility of ceasing taxes as of June 30.
Margo (Assessors Office) stated preliminary tax bills are based on ’08.
Carl: If taxes on personal property, it will be for the entire calendar year, regardless of when the bank was removed. If it’s based on real estate taxes, it’s possible it can be abated.
[Brief discussion regarding how taxes are assessed,- based on property, real estate, etc.]
Margo -- Determined the tax bill is commercial real estate.
Carl – We will research it and get back to them.
Mike Tenaglia – If he pays the bill now, and it is abated, who will receive the refund? The bank or the property owner (Ed DeFeudis)?
Carl – Will research it and be in touch with Mike Tenaglia.
One-day alcohol license request -- Bill Filsinger is having daughter’s birthday party a the Town House and has requested an alcohol license. Motion made to approve; motion seconded; voted All in Favor.
Zoning Board of Appeals Vacancies -- Bill: There are two vacancies on the ZBA: Bonnie Johnson and Chuck Mackinnon.
At the next meeting (August 25) they will review the list of vacancies on all committees and post it by September.
Entertainment license -- Straw Hollow Engine Show. Motion made to approve; motion seconded; voted All in Favor.
Chief Sahagian (Police Dept) Monthly Report to the Board of Selectmen --
- Reviewed monthly statistics
- 7/16: had ticket hearings
- 7/18: motor vehicle accident – vehicle versus motorcycle
- 7/22: vehicle seized from drug dealer; routine traffic stop
- 8/1: former resident of 30 Stockton Street called for an escort to retrieve personal property
- 8/2: pursuit through Town for speeding; driver threw something out the window. He then went onto Route 290; State Police stopped.
- 8/27: school reopens
- 8/18-8/19: Chief’s vacation days
- Lisa Ann Reich, new Director at MCJTC (upstairs)
- Reviewed Green Street sign request for Planning Board – no problem
Jim inquired about gas mileage of the Charger versus the Ford.
Chief: Charger probably a little better on mileage; he’s monitoring the maintenance costs.
Joe Flannagan (Fire Chief) Monthly Report to the Board of Selectmen --
- All equipment returned from previous employee.
- Vehicle exhaust system (2007 grant) work almost complete.
- Passed first round of 2008 FEMA Assistance Grants:
1) Radio system upgrade $98K
2) Forestry truck replacement $250K
- Applied for CERT grant through MEMA; $2,000 to be awarded by end of year.
- Waiting for response regarding DCR grant for off-road 4x4 ATV to be used for brush fires
- 3 Recruit firefighters entering academy end of August; 4 Firefighters recently completed EMT class. The department now has 18, total.
- Firefighter Jack McCormick retired, effective July 1, 2008
- Fuel bids came in too high; we do not have enough money. Rewrote the bid for one tank (gasoline, not diesel)
- Acquired excess military tanker, which can hold 6,000 gallons of fuel.
- Tahanto and Boylston Elementary School have been registered with the Red Cross as potential shelters for crises. Pre-plans are being developed for setup and operation of shelters (DPH requirement). Plans will rely on use of regional CERT team.
- Approved Tower Hill’s Planning Board application (adding a small restaurant).
Jim Stanton: If non-profit status remains I restaurant goes in, at what point do you find out?
Stephen Madaus: The Assessors can request a profit statement. This is not an uncommon request for non-profits.
Don Parker (Highway Superintendent) Monthly Report to the Board of Selectmen –
- Will be submitting for reimbursement from Chapter 90 funds for paving.
- Brush on Birchwood to be trimmed (in roadway).
- Looked into pothole grant that he discussed with Joe Connelly. State offices didn’t know anything about it. Joe will look further into it to see if it is funded this year.
- Jim Stanton questioned the status of hiring for vacancies. Don hasn’t looked at any applications yet, but they are doing okay for now. Jim suggested he advertise for hire by winter.
- Regarding gas tanks, the diesel tank ($6K) would need to be pumped into, not “dropped” like Shrewsbury, so it might represent a higher cost.
Keith and Lynne Gabler (7:45 PM) -- complaint re: Building Inspector; looking for assistance from BOS
- They lost their house to foreclosure a couple of years ago at 1250 Main Street, and are rebuilding a smaller house with barn and garage at 1230/40 Main.
- Pulled the permit in 2007.
- He set up a d/b/a business certificate as a nursery in order to establish the barn for business use. Mark Bertonassi (Bldg Inspector) agreed that would be okay. Mr. Gabler went ahead and did so; then Mr. Bertonassi said he had thought about it and said he can’t do it. No problem. He will build the house and barn together on one permit and occupancy as Mark requested.
- Since then, the house foundation was completed and the barn is complete. He now has to get out of his rental home, and cannot get a temporary occupancy permit for the barn from building inspector, who is on vacation and says it’s not his problem.
- Mr. Gabler said he is not asking for anything outside of what is allowed, citing building code p. 27, 6th Edition, paragraph 120.3 “...a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued before completion of entire work….”
Jim Stanton asked Joe Connelly to call the Assistant Building Inspector, Tom Dillon, to get in touch with them.
Assessors (8:02 PM) – Joint appointment to vacancy on Board of Assessors – James Holyoak.
Carl Cravedi stated Mr. Holyoak has already passed the Assessors 101 course; is an appraiser and a real estate agent. Mr. Holyoak lives in Boylston. He is a certified residential appraiser, a licensed real estate agent, graduate of Bentley College with a business degree. He is anxious to start.
Ken Sydow inquired about his real estate license and a conflict of interest. Mr. Holyoak: Spoke to the Ethics Board; they will be sending a letter to the Town. If he’s involved with a client going against the Town, the Town would come as first responsibility.
Ken: If someone called him for an appraisal, could he do it? James: Yes, as long as they are not going for abatement against the Town.
Carl: If someone ever files for abatement that he were involved with, he will recues himself from that vote. That’s the Board’s determination, not the Ethics Committee.
Margo: Also spoke with Town Counsel, DOR and Ethics Board. The Ethics Board will provide in writing what he can and cannot do.
Motion made to appoint Mr. Holyoak to Board of Assessors, seconded and voted All in Favor (Board of Selectmen and Assessors).
Veterans’ Agent Interview with Vin Perrone (8:10 PM) –
Mr. Perrone volunteered as Town’s Veterans’ Agent. His agency is interested in representing Town veterans (MA Veterans Inc.)
Amanda Rick – Community Relations Manager
Joe Boylan --Director, Outreach Services – Dennis Leary, Executive Director.
- He’s trying to give something back to the community. He will save the Town money – it is not necessary to pay $900.
- Will provide 40-45 hours/week of service, if necessary.
- Staff of 35
- Anyone with a problem can talk to the manager and get instant service.
- In an emergency, they are available 24/7, 365 days.
- Hours can be tailored around the Town’s need.
Ken: We were looking into sharing services with surrounding towns. His concern is service to the veterans in need versus saving money.
Vin: We would set up an agreement with the Town and provide whatever services are needed. We also serve people from the food bank program.
Jim: Do you currently serve as Veterans’ Agent for any other community?
Vin: No. He volunteered here because it's his home town.
Dennis: They are here only because their President (Vin) wants to assist his community. They also get information out to veterans and families who would not be otherwise aware of help that is available to them, including food, transportation, full-time counselors. This is a goodwill offer.
They have a $4M budget: 50% from Federal government; 20% from State; 30% private and fundraising.
Stephen: An individual needs to be appointed to be Veterans’ Agent. Also, must be a veteran. Person doesn’t need to live in Town.
Vin: He can be named. His company has never done this before. He wants to be sure his community gains maximum benefit that a Veterans’ Agent can give. He is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. He is truly altruistic; wants to reach out to the community.
Stephen: Once an individual is appointed, he may use whatever services he has available to him.
Vin: As Agent, he will provide; also naming backup or alternate agent from his company.
Jim: What is the cost?
Vin: We must take a nominal fee; it doesn’t matter what it is.
Jim: We would like a written plan.
Phone: 866-MASSVET or 508-791-095
Interim Town Administrator’s Contract -- Joe Connelly’s contract signed by Jim Stanton.
CORI Officer – Motion made to appoint Joe Connelly as Town’s CORI Officer.
Question raised as to what guidelines should be followed in determining who should have CORI check…are Board/Committee volunteers to be included? Joe: We will put something together and make a recommendation to the Board
Turf Links – 43D Grant round deadline is in September; Adam Costa sent email
Regarding Community Visit with Town Administrator candidate – continue to next meeting for discussion.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn. Voted All In Favor.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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